Sweat trickled into V'oho's eyes as she began to run out of energy. Struggling to maintain her shield and her mental line, she reached for another node. When the new energy poured into her, she almost shouted for joy. A low rumble had begun, as if it was going to storm. V'oho didn't care. Suddenly, the ground shifted. Okoh seemed to be rising. When V'oho realized that she was rising, well her side of the ground was anyway, she blanked for a moment. Then, as bolts of power began to hit her shields, she saw the winged horses- hundreds of them- coming towards them, causing the rumble, which was growing louder. Then she felt her shields crumble, as a bolt hit them from inside. inside? how did it get inside? she wondered, as she looked into Okoh's face. :You're done.: said the Kali'din. :Now sleep.: as she fell asleep, Okoh loaded her onto Bell Ringer's back, and walked them both to a grove of trees where they lay down to sleep...

Later

V'oho awoke to the murmur of voices. A palimino stallion was conversing with Okoh. "She's awake." he said, and Okoh looked over. :Well. Congradulations. As soon as I tell Meshi, you'll be a protector. You already are a Adept. This-: she gestured at the stallion :-is Moonstone. You summoned his whole colony. That's about 600 horses. But, what is the one thing you learned?: V'oho tried ot remember. :uhh....: Okoh sighed. :Never forget to shield over your head.: she said patiently.